Machine for cleaning a surface

ABSTRACT

A machine, for example a carpet cleaning machine, for cleaning a surface by application of a cleaning liquid thereto and removal of the liquid therefrom, is additionally provided with a manually controllable means for applying fluid to the surface. This may comprise a wand with a spray nozzle, manually usable to deliver extra cleaning liquid or some other treatment material to the surface.

This application claims priority to U.K. application no. 0524855.4 filedDec. 6, 2005; the entire contents of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a machine for cleaning a surface, for examplea floor surface.

The invention has been devised in relation to a machine for floorcleaning, particularly carpet cleaning, by application of a cleaningliquid to the floor and removal of the liquid therefrom when it hasfulfilled its cleaning function.

Machines for cleaning carpets in this manner are well known. A typicalmachine includes a reservoir for containing a cleaning liquid (normallywater having a suitable detergent added thereto), and an arrangement fordelivering the cleaning liquid to a cleaning head which is moveable overthe carpet to be cleaned and distributes the liquid thereon. The machinefurther comprises a source of suction for extracting the cleaning liquidfrom the carpet and arranged to deliver such liquid, which is dirtyhaving fulfilled its cleaning function, to a further reservoir. Thereare special purpose machines for cleaning in this way, which may be ofthe “upright” type, having a cleaning head moveable over the carpetsurface and a body extending upwardly from the cleaning head, the bodybeing tiltable relative to the head and having a handle by which a usercan manoeuvre the machine to move the cleaning head as required over thecarpet which is to be cleaned. In such a machine, a motor driving animpeller to create the suction for extracting dirty cleaning liquid fromthe carpet may be carried by the cleaning head, the motor possibly alsodriving a brush bar to agitate the carpet with the cleaning liquidthereon to improve the cleaning operation, while the reservoirs for theliquid typically are carried by the body, being removable therefrom forfilling the clean liquid reservoir and emptying the dirty liquidreservoir. There are also vacuum cleaners which are able to be adaptedfor carpet cleaning, having, in the case of a vacuum cleaner of the“canister” or “cylinder” type with a main body containing the cleaner'ssource of suction and means for separating and collecting dirt which hasbeen sucked up, a special purpose cleaning head which can be connectedat the end of a rigid, possibly telescopic extendible and contractible,wand, so as to be moveable over a carpet surface. Reservoirs for cleanand dirty liquid are provided in or associated with the main body of thecleaner.

It may be the case that carpet cleaning requires the application of atreatment fluid to the carpet in addition to the cleaning liquid appliedin normal operation of the machine. Such a treatment fluid may be anextra quantity of the normal cleaning liquid, e.g. to be applied to aparticularly dirty part of the carpet prior to or in the course of thenormal use of the cleaning machine thereon, or it may be a moreconcentrated solution of the detergent used in the cleaning solution orsome other agent e.g. a special purpose spot remover or the like.

Hitherto such application of other fluids to a surface being cleaned hasnecessitated the use of hand held sprayers, applicator pads or the likeseparate from the cleaning machine, and for floor cleaning this hasusually involved the person carrying out the cleaning operation inbending to floor level or kneeling down. This is inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is broadly the object of the present invention to render suchapplication of such an additional treatment fluid to a floor surfaceless inconvenient.

According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide a machinefor cleaning a surface by application of a cleaning liquid thereto andremoval of the liquid therefrom, additionally provided with a manuallycontrollable means for applying a fluid to the surface.

The manually controllable means for applying a fluid to the surface maycomprise a dispensing device, e.g. a spray nozzle, provided on acleaning head of the machine. A control may be provided, operable by auser of the machine, to determine when the fluid is to be dispensed fromthe device to be applied to the surface.

Preferably the manually controllable means is manually directable, sothat the fluid may be applied to a required part or region of thesurface.

The manually controllable means may comprise a dispensing device whichcan be stored on the machine when not in use and removed therefrom toapply the fluid to any required part of the surface relative to themachine.

The dispensing device may comprise a spray nozzle or the like, and sucha nozzle may be provided at the end of an elongate dispensing element ofthe type commonly referred to as a wand or lance, having a handle at oradjacent its other end by which it may be held by a user. A flow controlmeans may be provided at or in association with the handle, e.g. atrigger operated valve, so that the user may control the application offluid by the device.

The use of an elongate dispensing element enables the fluid to beapplied to a floor surface with a degree of accuracy as to the positionor region of such application, without necessitating the user's bendingor kneeling.

A reservoir for the fluid which is able to be applied by such adispensing device may be carried by the machine and connected to thedispensing device by a flexible tube. A pump may be provided fordelivering the fluid from the reservoir to the dispensing device.

The fluid may be the liquid which is used by the cleaning machine in itscleaning operation, with the dispensing device connected to thereservoir provided on the machine for clean such liquid. Alternatively afurther reservoir may be provided on the machine for a different liquid,e.g. a special purpose cleaning liquid or a more concentrated solutionof the detergent generally used in the cleaning liquid in the machine.

The machine may be a carpet cleaning machine of the upright type, inwhich case an elongate dispensing element such a wand or lance may beaccommodated, when not in use, in a suitable retaining formation orformations provided on the upwardly extending body of the machine. Itmay be easily detached from such a formation or formations and wieldedby a user to apply a cleaning fluid to a carpet being cleaned, e.g. foradditional spot or small area treatment.

Although mainly intended for use with, and described hereafter inrelation to, a carpet cleaning machine of the upright type, theinvention may also find application in relation to a machine of thecanister or cylinder type. Thus, a dispensing element such a wand orlance may be held in formations on the body of such a machine which hasthe reservoirs and source of suction of the machine, or on a wandcarrying a cleaning head of such a machine.

Further it is to be understood that although the invention is describedherein in relation to the pre treatment of a carpet or the like with acleaning fluid, it may also be applicable to use with other treatmentfluids, e.g. a post cleaning protective (e.g. stain resistant) and/orfragrancing fluid. Possibly such fluid could be in the form of a powderrather than a liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an upright carpet cleaning machine according to one aspectof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference tothe accompanying drawing.

The machine, as is generally known for machines of this type, comprisesa cleaning head part indicated generally at 10 and a body part indicatedgenerally at 11, extending upwardly from a rearmost region of thecleaning head 10. The body 11 is connected to the cleaning head forpivoting movement about a transverse axis, and has a handle 12 at itsuppermost end to enable a user to manoeuvre the machine and specificallyits cleaning head over a floor surface such as a carpet which is to becleaned. The cleaning head 10 of the machine has laterally spaced wheels13 at its rear end, and at a forward end part has in its underside achamber 14 facing the surface on which the machine stands. Provision ismade for the application of cleaning liquid to the surface in thevicinity of such chamber, e.g. at the front boundary thereof, and in thechamber there may be disposed one or more brush bars or other agitatorsfor agitating a carpet being cleaned to improve the cleaning action.Provision is made for extraction by suction of the cleaning liquid fromthe chamber and the carpet therebeneath, the cleaning head 10 containingan electric motor and impeller to provide suction for this purpose: themotor may also drive the agitator(s).

The body 11 of the machine houses a reservoir assembly indicatedgenerally at 15, including a reservoir for the cleaning liquid fromwhich it is delivered to the cleaning head, and a further reservoir fordirty such liquid extracted from a carpet being cleaned. The cleanliquid may be a detergent pre mixed with water, or there may be yet afurther reservoir for the detergent alone in concentrated form, which ismixed with clean water by the machine prior to its application to acarpet. It would be appreciated that the machine incorporates suitableducts, passages, controls, and the like, all of which are generallyknown in relation to carpet cleaning machines, for enabling andcontrolling its operation.

In accordance with the invention, a dispensing element in the form of anelongate wand or lance 17 is provided, and in the drawing it is shownheld by retaining formations such as appropriate clips 18 on the bodypart 11 of the machine. At its lowermost end the dispensing element 17has a nozzle 19 which may be adjustable to provide a narrow jet or widespray as required, and at its uppermost end the element 17 has amanually graspable handle 20. A flexible hose 21 provides for thedelivery of a treatment fluid to the element 17 from a reservoirprovided on the machine possibly in association with the reservoirassembly indicated at 15. Such a liquid may be the clean cleaning liquidor the concentrated detergent therefor, or some other liquid for pre orpost cleaning treatment of a carpet.

The dispensing element 17 has its handle 20 provided with a trigger 22for operating a valve to control the dispensing of the treatment fluidby the element 17. For ensuring delivery of the fluid to the dispensingelement, a pump may be provided or alternatively a reservoir for thefluid may be subject to a super atmospheric pressure to cause deliveryof the fluid therefrom.

In use of the machine as above described, it will be appreciated that itis convenient for the user, if wishing to subject a carpet which isbeing cleaned to pre or post cleaning treatment, either localised orover a larger area, it is easy to dismount the dispensing element 17from the machine and wield it manually as required to apply the liquidwhere it is needed. After use, the element 17 can be returned to itsstored position on the machine, and the machine used as normal.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and“comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features,steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted toexclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised forrealising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. A machine for cleaning a surface by application of a cleaning liquidthereto and removal of the liquid therefrom, additionally provided witha manually controllable means for applying fluid to the surface.
 2. Amachine according to claim 1 wherein the means for applying a fluid tothe surface is manually directable.
 3. A machine according to claim 1wherein the means for applying a fluid to the surface comprises adispensing device provided on a cleaning head of the machine.
 4. Amachine according to claim 1 wherein the means for applying a fluid tothe surface comprises a dispensing device which can be stored on themachine when not in use and removed therefrom to apply the fluid to thesurface.
 5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein the dispensing devicecomprises a spray nozzle.
 6. A machine according to claim 5 wherein thespray nozzle is provided at an end of an elongate dispensing elementhaving a handle at or adjacent its other end.
 7. A machine according toclaim 6 wherein a flow control means is provided at or in associationwith the handle.
 8. A machine according to claim 7 wherein the flowcontrol means comprises a trigger operated valve.
 9. A machine accordingto claim 1 wherein a reservoir for the fluid additionally to be appliedto the surface is carried by the machine and connected to the dispensingdevice by a flexible tube.
 10. A machine according to claim 9 wherein apump is provided for delivering the fluid from the reservoir to thedispensing device.
 11. A machine according to claim 9 wherein the fluidis the liquid which is used by the cleaning machine in its cleaningoperation, the dispensing device being connected to a reservoir providedon the machine for clean such liquid.
 12. A machine according to claim 9wherein the reservoir for fluid to be applied by the dispensing deviceis an additional reservoir to that provided on the machine for theliquid used in the cleaning operation.
 13. A machine according to claim6 wherein the elongate dispensing element is accommodated in a retainingformation or formations provided on an upwardly extending body of themachine.